asked the hon. Member for Wokingham, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Peterborough diocese has to report to, or gain the permission of, the Commissioners for the sale of land at Molesworth to the Ministry of Defence.

The land in question is diocesan glebe and the Commissioners' consent would be required under The Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976.

asked the Attorney-General in how many criminal cases in the Northern Ireland courts accomplices of accused have turned Queen's evidence; in how many such cases this evidence has been uncorroborated; and what has been the result of such cases.

As I said in the written answer which I gave to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Spencer) on 24 October 1983, the law and practice in Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, has always permitted the use of the evidence of accomplices in criminal trials: it is not something which has happened only in the context of the prosecution of terrorists or only in the situation which currently obtains in Northern Ireland. However, I take the present question to be directed at cases where such evidence has been used in recent years and specifically at trials for offences which are scheduled offences under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. In respect, therefore, of trials on indictment for scheduled offences where evidence was given by an accomplice, the position for the years 1982 to date is as follows:

Year	No. Trials	Persons Acquitted	Persons Convicted or Pleading Guilty
1982	1	0	4
1983	4	13	55
1984	3	46	26
1985	1	21	8

In 1984, the convictions of 14 of the persons tried in 1983 were quashed on appeal to the Court of Appeal.There is no comprehensive record of, and it is not now feasible to identify without disproportionate cost, all the evidence which was before the court in relation to individual charges or whether such evidence was capable of constituting corroboration.

asked the Prime Minister if, further to her answer to the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Kinnock) on 14 March, Official Report, column 432, football hooliganism is to be tackled by way of increased numbers of police and increased equipment, she will indicate by how many and where Her Majesty's Government intend to increase police numbers and what equipment is to be provided, to whom and at what cost.

I said no such thing. We have greatly strengthened the police service—on 28 February there were 9,286 more police officers in England and Wales than in May 1979—so that more officers are available for chief constables to deploy as required. Football hooliganism has to be tackled both by the football authorities and by the police and the courts. In his pursuant reply on 4 April at columns 756–57 to a question by the hon. Member for Barnsley, East (Mr. Patchett), my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport set out the substantial package of new measures which are being taken, following my meeting with the football authorities on 1 April. These measures include steps to extend the powers of the courts and the police and discussions with the police about improvements in their effectiveness in dealing with football violence. So far as equipment is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) on 4 April, at column 723.

asked the Prime Minister if she discussed a new multi-fibre arrangement with any of the Governments with which she had discussions on her recent trip abroad; what views were expressed to her on this subject; and what indication she was able to give of Her Majesty's Government's attitude.

Yes; I said the multi-fibre arrangement is currently under review here, as, no doubt, in other countries.

asked the Prime Minister if she will list those export orders which she discussed with foreign Governments on her recent trip abroad, and indicate those orders where the discussions she held have increased the chances of their being obtained by British firms.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 18 April at column 267.

asked the Prime Minister when she received the report of the pay review body on nurses and midwives pay; and when she will make this public.

I am receiving this report today. It will be considered in the normal way.

asked the Prime Minister what response she has made to the letter she has received from the Association of Directors of Social Services proposing that the Government pay social services departments a supplementary employment grant to give jobs to the unemployed involving simple caring tasks.

The proposals in the association's letter were given detailed and careful consideration and a reply was sent on my behalf on 3 April 1985 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security.My hon. Friend referred the association to the White Paper "Employment: the Challenge for the Nation" — Cmnd. 9474—in which the Government's policy on job creation is clearly set out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the effect of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act upon recruitment to the Metropolitan police; and whether a juvenile conviction for petty vandalism is sufficient to bar entry into the force.

By virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, the provisions of the 1974 Act do not apply to applications for appointment as a police constable. Applicants are not, therefore, entitled to withhold information about a previous conviction on the grounds that it is for other purposes spent under the Act. It is for the chief officer of police to decide whether, in any particular case, an isolated minor offence should be disregarded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain and place in the Library a copy of the report of the Metropolitan police officers who witnessed the recent manufacturer's demonstration of the ARWEN 37 weapon.

According to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, none of his officers has attended a manufacturer's demonstration of the ARWEN 37 since 1982. No formal report on that demonstration was submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the past 12 months any of the water cannon vehicles based by the Metropolitan police at the river way site in Greenwich have left the site to travel on the public highway; and what was the purpose of their journey on each such occasion.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that during the last 12 months the water cannon left the Greenwich site on two occasions for maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armoured vehicles the Metropolitan police force has; what types of vehicles they are and how many there are of each type; and on what occasions during the past 12 months each type has been used.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the force has 15 armoured motor cars and that the majority are in regular use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to discuss the Metropolitan police force's policy towards cases involving the possession of cannabis.

No. Chief officers of police, including the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, are already well aware of my right hon. and learned Friend's views about drug misuse. They have available to them in exercising their responsibility in this matter the Attorney-General's guidelines on criteria for prosecution and my right hon. and learned Friend's advice to them on the appropriate use of cautioning. It is also open to them in any case of doubt or difficulty to seek the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles specifically designated for the carrying of prisoners the Metropolitan police has at the current time; and how many they had in 1979.

Ninety eight in 1979; 114 now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold discussions with the chairmen of the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Broadcasting Authority about the problems caused to viewers, especially those hard of hearing, by background noise.

I know that the broadcasting authorities are aware of the problems that may be caused to viewers, particularly the hard of hearing, by background noise. If, however, the right hon. Member has particular instances in mind, I am sure that it would be useful if he were to notify the broadcasting authorities with a view to their bringing the matter to the attention of the producers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation conferring on British nationals overseas rights and privileges under the British Nationality Act 1981 equivalent to those accorded to other categories of British nationality by that Act with regard to qualification for British citizenship.

It is intended that a draft of an Order in Council to implement the nationality provisions of the Hong Kong Act 1985 should be put before Parliament with a view to the order itself being made by April 1986. Among other things, the draft order will include provision for British nationals (overseas) to be entitled to be registered as British citizens under section 4 of the British Nationality Act 1981 on the same terms as British dependent territories citizens and other British nationals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the current leave to remain in the United Kingdom given to Alhaji Umaru Dikko expires.

On 20 June 1984, Mr. Dikko was granted leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor for a period of six months. Before the expiry of that period, Mr. Dikko applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. This application has the effect of extending his leave to remain while his application is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can yet give further details on the Peacock inquiry into broadcasting finance; and to whom members of the public should address any comments which they wish to make.

The terms of reference of the Peacock committee were circulated in the Official Report following my right hon. and learned Friend's statement of 27 March about the BBC's licence fee at column 479. We hope to be able to announce the names of the members of the committee before long. The committee will doubtless indicate, as soon as it begins its task, how it wishes evidence to be submitted to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the policing operation at RAF Molesworth over the Easter weekend; and if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cambridgeshire police about the number of people arrested for alleged criminal damage and other offences.

The chief constable of Cambridgeshire informs me that 107 people were arrested at the site for alleged offences including criminal damage, trespass on military land, assault on the police and destruction. He is not yet in a position to give a complete estimate of the costs of policing the demonstration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had any discussions with chief constables about the degree of retaliation by police to peaceful demonstrations at Royal Air Force bases; and if he will make a statement.

No. Chief constables are well aware that police officers must not use force unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the information given to the Under-Secretary on his visit to the United States of America regarding the use of the Channel Islands to deposit in secret money from illegal drugs activities.

It would not be appropriate to publish details of the specific case which was mentioned to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to counter the use of the Channel Islands for the deposit of money from illegal drugs activities.

My right hon. and learned Friend will continue to encourage the Channel Islands to follow their present policies of enacting parallel legislation to the United Kingdom, and of adopting similar standards and practices to avoid abuse of banking facilities. He will keep a close watch on any indications of money from illegal drug activities being channelled through the islands, and these will be brought to the attention of the island authorities as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it takes 12 months for the Metropolitan police to notify and present the recipient with a medal for long service and conduct.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that there is no unnecessary delay between an officer becoming eligible for the police long service and good conduct medal and the award of the medal. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, he may wish to take it up with the Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will call for reports from each chief constable as to the number of children who were: (a) murdered and (b) abducted and (c) sexually assaulted in 1984 and to date in 1985; how these figures compare with the previous five years; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 April, c. 14]: The Government view such crimes against children with the utmost concern. Chief officers fully share this view and respond to these offences accordingly. Much relevant information is already reported regularly and my right hon. and learned Friend sees no need to call for special reports at this stage. The age and sex of victims of homicide is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales"—table 4.6 of the latest issue for 1983, Cmnd. 9349; corresponding statistics for 1984 will become available later this year. The number of recorded offences of child stealing—which includes offences under the Child Abduction Act 1984, kidnapping, abduction of persons of all ages and of all sexual offences including some specifically involving juveniles — is published annually in chapter 2 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". The latest figures for 1984 were published in "Home Office Statistical Bulletin" issue 6/85, on 12 March 1985. The numbers of persons found guilty or cautioned up to 1983 for certain offences in which the victim was, or may have been, a juvenile are given in table 1; corresponding figures a for 1984 will become available later this year. Some information about the number of young people recorded as missing each year is available

Table 1 Offenders found guilty or cautioned for certain offences
England and Wales	Number of offenders
offices	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983
Child stealing	18	12	11	11	20
Kidnaapping	29	45	45	45	40
Abduction:	33	29	29	25	27
of which abduction of unmarried girl under 16	22	13	15	17	14
Buggery:	248	299	280	248	254
of which i) with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal	142	164	164	136	165
ii) attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman oran animal	22	15	10	9	14
Indecent assault on a male:	749	814	736	725	789
of which indecent assault on male person under 16 years	634	685	616	600	654
Rape	392	457	326	412	330
Indecent assault on a female:	3,470	3,490	3,258	3,391	3,235
of which on female under 16 years of age	2,516	2,572	2,369	2,417	2,333
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13	128	156	111	141	149
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16	2,111	1,906	1,689	1,559	1,673
Incest:	177	171	143	133	152
of witch i) insert with a girl under 13	56	54	38	47	46
ii) inciting girl under 16 to have inscestuous sexual intercourse	11	8	12	7	9
Gross indecency with a child	270	280	247	247	255

Table 2 Persons aged less than 18 recorded as missing by the Missing Persons Bureau of the Metropolitan Police*
Number of personst†
Year	Recorded as missing‡	Traced or identified‖
1979	3,600	3,200
1980	3,900	3,300
1981	3,200	2,800
1982	4,300	3,500
1983	3,900	3,300
1984	4,100	3,700
* Includes some cases reported by police forces other than the Metropolitan Police.
† The same persons may be reported missing more than once.
‡ Includes some persons first reported missing in previous years.
‖ Includes persons traced who were first reported missing in previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the members of the Advisory Committee on Research and Development together with details of those members with close involvement in any renewable energy source, nuclear power, fossil fuel energy and energy conservation industry.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend on 25 February at columns 15–16.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give details of all the proposals emanating from the European Economic Community to which Her Majesty's Government is a party which relate to the reduction of coal output in Britain and the degree of from the missing persons bureau of the Metropolitan Police and is given in table 2; these figures are not a comprehensive record of persons missing and traced, particularly those from outside the Metropolitan police district, because not all such cases are reported.progress made towards meeting the targets set by the Commission, in terms of number of pits, manpower and output.

No such proposals have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of those on youth training schemes in Knowsley have gone on to full-time employment in each year since its inception.

The information requested is not available. Regular information on the destinations of a sample of young people leaving the youth training scheme in each of the Manpower Services Commission's areas should be available by the end of May 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now seek to extend the provisions of the Employment Protection Acts 1975 and 1978 to all workers irrespective of the number of hours worked; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government consider it right that an employee should have to work for an employer for a minimum number of hours each week before acquiring some of the statutory rights enforceable against that employer.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will now introduce legislation providing women workers with at least six months' pregnancy leave on full pay, with jobs guaranteed and with no loss of employment rights or entitlement to holiday pay and pensions; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will now consider extending the existing statutory maternity leave to include at least three months' paid maternity leave; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have been considering the question of financial provision for maternity as part of the social security review. We will announce the outcome of the review shortly. As regards other rights during maternity absence, the statutory provisions are constantly under review, but we have no immediate plans to amend them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage of women in the total work force employed part-time in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively.

In December 1984, 46·4 per cent. of female employees in employment in Great Britain worked part-time. The corresponding figures for December 1981, December 1982 and December 1983 were 42·6 per cent., 43·7 per cent, and 45·3 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now introduce legislation providing a national minimum wage of £100 per week for all workers; and if he will make a statement.

No. A national minimum wage would raise employers' costs and threaten jobs, including the jobs of those it was designed to help.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many full-time community programme placements are available on Merseyside;(2) how many part-time community programme places are currently available on Merseyside.

At 29 March, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 6,488 filled places on Merseyside. It is for sponsors to determine the balance between full and part-time jobs within available resources, but at that date 2,278 places were full-time and 4,210 were part-time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of staff who have been employed by the Health and Safety Commission in each year since 1979; and if he will consider giving them further assistance to enable a greater number of staff to visit factories more regularly.

The numbers of permanent staff employed by the Health and Safety Executive at 1st April each year were:

	Number
1979	4,168
1980	4,110
1981	3,884
1982	3,712
1983	3,593
1984	3,563
1985	3,616

Decisions on the deployment of staff to particular areas of work are a matter for the Executive.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to identify and evaluate the special employment problems of young deaf people; and if he will make a statement.

There is no specific arrangements for identifying and evaluating the employment problems of young deaf people specifically. All disabled people, including those who are young and those who are deaf, are able to benefit from the Manpower Services Commission's general employment services and its specialist schemes and services for disabled people, according to their individual needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what special training facilities are provided for young deaf people to improve their employment prospects.

The Manpower Services Commission, which has responsibility for training matters, does not offer national training provision aimed specifically at young deaf people. The Commission's policy is to encourage these young people to integrate with their able-bodied counterparts on locally provided schemes which can be adapted to meet individual needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has regarding the number of persons employed in consequence of the business activities of credit card companies in the Urited Kingdom.

The Department's employment estimates are analysed according to the 1980 standard industrial classification which does not distinguish the business activities of credit card companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers covered by wages councils were underpaid in Lothian, Edinburgh and Leith, respectively, during 1984.

Statistics are not collected for geographical areas smaller than Wages Inspectorate divisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish (a) a table showing the proportion of full-time employess in the Greater Manchester area who, in the New Earnings Survey 1984, are paid less than £50, £60, £70, £80, £90 and £100 when overtime earnings are included and (b) a table showing the proportion of full-time employees in the same area who are

Greater Manchester Area April 1984
Percentage with gross weekly earnings below
	Including overtime						Excluding overtime
	£50	£60	£70	£80	£90	£100	£100
Males
Manual	0·2	0·8	1·9	4·5	9·1	15·5	22·5
Non-manual	0·5	0·9	1·6	3·2	5·3	7·3	8·3
All	0·3	0·8	1·8	3·9	7·4	11·9	16·3
Females
Manual	2·5	9·7	24·0	42·1	57·9	74·9	78·0
Non-manual	0·8	1·9	6·0	17·6	29·0	39·5	40·3
All	1·3	4·1	11·1	24·5	37·1	49·5	50·9
Males and Females	0·6	1·9	4·8	10·7	17·1	24·2	27·9

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many official House of Commons post paid envelopes are estimated to be sent out in the post on any one sitting day.

Correspondence in House of Commons post paid envelopes is sent by Members and their staffs through post offices throughout the United Kingdom. These envelopes are not separately identified. I am advised, however, than an average of 7,500 items are posted daily from the House of Commons on sitting days, virtually all of which are House of Commons post paid envelopes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal exactly how much money was paid out in 1984 to the Post Office for the provision of post paid envelopes; and how this compares with each of the past five years.

The total cost to the House of Commons Vote—Class XIII A, Vote 1—for post paid stationery in the year 1984 was £376,748.81. The cost in the previous five years was as follows:

	£
1983	351,385·36
1982	359,124·22
1981	296,229·76
1980	188,370·68
1979	81,418·53
Note: The steep rise in charges for paid stationery during 1980, by comparison with 1979, is due to a combination of rising prices and an increase in demand.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider providing second class post paid House of Commons stationery to complement existing stationery; and whether he is able to estimate the likely savings.

The available information relates to full-time adult employees working a full week and is set out below:

No. I refer my hon. Friend to the First Report from the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services), Session 1982–83.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has showing the amount of House of Commons post paid mail that actually arrived the next day; what percentage is involved; how much arrived on a later day; and if he will make a statement.

No figures are available for mail posted from the House of Commons since this goes into the ordinary postal system and is not specially checked at the point of delivery.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will estimate the number of letters received at the House of Commons sorting office on any one sitting day.

I am advised that an average of 14,500 letters are received daily at the House of Commons sorting office on sitting days.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much mail is estimated to have been handled by the House of Commons sorting office in 1984.

The Post Office do not keep records of the total amount of mail passing through the House of Commons sorting office, but it is estimated that approximately 6.5 million items were handled in 1984.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much was the Palace of Westminster's telephone bill in 1984; how the figure compares with each of the past five years; and if he is able to divide the figures between the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The telephone bill for the Palace of Westminster for 1984 was £1,303,455·22. In the preceding four years it was as follows:

	£
1983	1,111,299·33
1982	1,174,629·35
1981	1,334,288·49
1980	1,164,373·89

These charges are divided into proportions which are reviewed annually. The resent percentages are as follows:

	percentage
House of Lord	9·8
House of Commons	86·1
Lord Chancellor's Department	1·8
Department of the Environment	2·2
Post Office	0·1

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was (i) the average time of rising, Fridays excepted, and (ii) the latest time of rising, in each of the past 10 Sessions and the current Session to date.

The information is as follows:

Session	Average time of rising (Fridays excepted)	Latest time of rising on next day
1974–75	12·43am	4·56pm
1975–76	12·35am	1·41pm

Standard industrial classification heading	EC countries				Non-EC countries
	Import Penetration(per cent.)		Imports (£ million)		Import Penetration (per cent.)		Imports (£ million)
	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984
3434	6	14	16	83	4	7	10	45
3443	9	13	35	256	13	26	47	495
3452	9	23	11	68	8	21	9	63
3453	21	34	70	440	41	59	37	782
3454	7	14	35	247	32	52	160	930
3634	20	24	8	37	14	28	6	44
373	40	45	93	313	33	55	79	384
4115	0	9	1	30	0	0	0	0
4116	9	32	46	407	26	21	141	264
415	7	14	20	119	35	41	100	339
418	22	17	26	94	3	4	4	18

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for standard industrial classification headings 424, 466, 4728, 481, 4811, 4831, 4833, 4942,

Standard industrial classification heading	EC countries				Non-EC countries
	Import Penetration(per cent.)		Imports (£ million)		Import Penetration (per cent.)		Imports (£ million)
	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984
424	17	27	44	102	7	6	18	20
466	6	8	4	14	20	33	15	55
4728	3	13	3	29	6	21	7	48
481	8	18	62	294	5	12	43	192
4811	10	27	36	182	6	16	22	106

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for standard industrial classification headings 3434, 3443, 3452, 3453, 3454, 3634, 373, 4115, 4116, 415, and 418, the ratio of imports to home demand in 1975 and at the latest available date for the EC and the non-EC countries together with the relevant import figures.

The information is given in the table below:and 4954 the ratio of imports to home demand in 1975 and at the latest available date for the EC and the non-EC countries together with the relevant import figures.

The information is given in the table below:

Standard industrial classification heading	EC countries				Non-EC countries
	Import Penetration(per cent.)		Imports (£ million)		Import Penetration (per cent.)		Imports (£ million)
	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984	1975	12 months ended June 1984
4831	20	41	10	33	10	12	5	10
4833	12	19	6	19	8	9	4	9
4942	8	13	5	28	27	47	18	104
4954	15	26	11	52	16	23	11	45

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report, a table showing the level of United Kingdom investment overseas in each year since 1980 and at the latest available date together with the net investment during the year; and if he will provide any revision for earlier years since his answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 29 July 1983, Official Report, columns 742–46.

Table 1
Flows of direct investment excluding unremitted profits and oil companies between United Kingdom and the European Community*
					£ million
	Inward direct investment in United Kingdom		United Kingdom direct investment overseas
	Net acquisition of share and loan capital	Inter-company Branch-head office accounts	Net acquisition of share and loan capital	Inter-company accounts	Branch-head office accounts
1972
Manufacturing	6·8	−12·0	71·6	−14·2	0·5
Non-manufacturing	14·4	1·2	59·6	11·3	26·1
1973
Manufacturing	44·1	−16·0	130·5	39·7	0·6
Non-manufacturing	44·5	17·9	185·3	14·2	10·9
1974
Manufacturing	21·6	−5·2	56·4	17·1	1·8
Non-manufacturing	27·4	0·2	61·9	20·2	60·6
1975
Manufacturing	9·6	19·2	36·5	−10·1	−0·3
Non-manufacturing	2·7	18·3	52·8	23·0	0·9
1976
Manufacturing	62·3	−4·3	99·7	−16·3	1·2
Non-manufacturing	20·0	24·8	47·8	66·8	14·4
1977
Manufacturing	52·1	−11·4	−10·7	169·0	0·7
Non-manufacturing	52·5	42·2	68·2	−55·3	4·3
1978
Manufacturing	75·4	32·8	114·4	76·6	0·7
Non-manufacturing	26·6	61·1	69·4	66·8	47·0
1979
Manufacturing	40·4	32·8	120·5	−223·2	4·3
Non-manufacturing	34·4	−16·6	49·4	−57·3	41·0
1980
Manufacturing	46·0	−4·6	213·5	−148·3	−2·4
Non-manufacturing	50·5	19·3	217·0	−112·7	25·2
1981
Manufacturing	125·7	43·2	119·9	227·4	7·8
Non-manufacturing	81·4	−80·3	125·7	−69·8	36·6
1982
Manufacturing	24·2	−80·4	52·1	−33·0	..
Non-manufacturing	72·2	100·8	1048	−201·7	..
* Denmark, Irish Republic and Greece are included in all years.

The level of United Kingdom investment overseas since 1980 is given table 11·1— United Kingdom External Assets—of "United Kingdom balance of payments, 1984 edition"—The CSO pink book. Flows of United Kingdom direct overseas investment are given in table 8·2, inward and outward investment, of the same publication.The following table provides such revisions that are available to the information supplied to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 29 July 1983 and published in columns

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing imports and exports to the European Economic Community and the rest of the world in 1984 of items covered by division 66 less section 667 of the standard industrial trade classification.

For reasons of commercial confidentiality, data on imports by country under heading SITC 667 for these years are not published. The available data, together with figures for the broader heading SITC 66, are in the table.

United Kingdom trade 1984
		£ million OTS basis
	World	EC	Rest of world
SITC Division 66 less group 667
Exports	742	273	469
Imports	755	*	*
SITC Division 66
Exports	2,299	834	1,464
Imports	2,269	689	1,580
* not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing imports from and exports to the European Economic Community in 1970 and 1984 of total trade in manufactures less erratics.

The figures are in the table:

United Kingdom trade with the European Community*
Manufactures† excluding erratics‡
		£ million, OTS basis
	Exports	Imports
1970	1,733	1,379
1984	16,389	25,202
Notes:
* Present membership in both years.
† Standard International Trade Classification Sections 5 to 8.
‡ Precious stones, silver, aircraft, North Sea Installations and Ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission the proposed takeover of Matthew Brown plc by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries.

My hon. Friend will announce his decision as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the proposed takeover of Matthew Brown plc by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with major shareholders of a new company named Exfinco; and what relationship this new company will have with the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Officials of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are aware of the setting up of this company, which will be entitled to insure export business with the Department subject to the same criteria as apply to other companies. It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to make public details of ECGD's relationships with individual exporters.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will institute a departmental investigation into allegations that the Export Credits Guarantee Department has been the victim of substantial fraud; what is the scale of the frauds alleged; what steps he has taken to secure police investigation of these allegations; and if he will make a statement.

Several months ago the Export Credits Guarantee Department asked the City of London police to investigate a number of transactions where apparent irregularities had come to light. Inquiries are in progress and I hope that they will be brought to a swift conclusion. The ECGD is co-operating fully with the police, and will continue to do so on the cases in question and any others which might arise. Action of a legal or other nature must depend on the outcome of the inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any ivory has been imported into the United Kingdom during the past 12 months.

Between March 1984 and February 1985, the United Kingdom imported worked ivory to the value of £463,000 cif. Other imports of ivory are not separately distinguished in the United Kingdom overseas trade statistics.Source: Tariff code 9505 8100 from SITC/R2 Item 899.11.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any turtle products have been imported into the United Kingdom during the past 12 months.

Import permits have been granted for turtle products in accordance with European Council regulation No. 3626/82 which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora within the European Community. However, information on the take-up of these permits for the last 12 months is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the cost (a) to the British Steel Corporation and (b) to the Government of the proposed closure of the Tinsley Park melting shop and billet mill.

The estimated costs are a commercial matter for the British Steel Corporation. They can be met from within the corporation's existing external financing limit.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether the Phoenix II proposals jointly submitted by the British Steel Corporation and G.K.N. in December 1983, included the closure of the Tinsley Park melting shop and billet mill;(2) by what percentage the estimated excess capacity of the plants included in the Phoenix II proposals would be reduced by the closure of the Tinsley Park melting shop and billet mill.

The Phoenix II proposals are still under consideration. The details of the plants concerned and any proposed changes in capacity must remain commercially confidential to BSC and GKN, but I can say that the intended closure of Tinsley Park as announced by BSC would be consistent with the Phoenix II proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any whale products have been imported into the United Kingdom during the past 12 months.

Import permits have been granted for whale products in accordance with European Council Regulation No. 3626/82 which implements the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora within the European Community. However, information on the take-up of these permits for the last 12 months is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date it is proposed to begin the experiment on the limit to delays in the release of popular films to cinemas in Manchester.

The Director General of Fair Trading will shortly be seeking undertakings from the industry with a view to the experiment coming into force on 31 May.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the British Telecom shares reserved for British Telecom employees and pensioners was subscribed for; what proportion was allocated; and what happened to any balance.

Up to 10 per cent. of the shares being offered in the British Telecom flotation were available for BT employees and pensioners. Applications were received from employees and pensioners for 5·1 per cent. of the offered shares and 4.5 per cent. of the offered shares were allotted. Shares not allotted under these arrangements became available to meet applications from members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has taken any steps to improve the understanding of industry and wealth creation by primary school age children.

Yes. This week sees the launch of a national competition organised by the School Curriculum Industry Project — SCIP — and sponsored by my Department for all schools in England and Wales with children under the age of 11. The aim of the competition will be to encourage teachers to develop children's understanding and appreciation of the contribution which industry makes to our society. The winners will be the schools with the best project for involving local industry.A number of primary schools are already active in this area through a variety of means, such as using simulations, mini enterprises, visits to work places and visits by people in industry to the school. A free book "Schools and Industry 5–13" giving examples of what can be done and how to go about it, will be given to each school interested in taking part. All primary schools in the United Kingdom will shortly be receiving letters about this competition from the organisers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last had contact with the packaging industry and the Committee for Packaging and the Environment.

I have been asked to reply.My last contact with the packaging industry was on 2 November 1983 when I met INCPEN — the Industry Committee for Packaging and the Environment— with which officials maintain regular contact.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of badgers; and where they are located.

Accurate figures are not available, but the Nature Conservancy Council calculates that the badger population of Great Britain is in the region of 400,000. Badgers are not common in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, on the higher mountains in Snowdonia or Brecon, in East Anglia, or in large built-up areas. They are widespread in other areas of Great Britain and are most common on the chalk hills of the south of England such as the Cotswolds and the north and south Downs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications he has received from local authorities to except elderly persons' dwellings from the right-to-buy scheme under schedule 1 of the Housing Act 1980 as amended by the Housing and Building Control Act 1984 since the coming into effect of the 1984 Act; and in how many of these cases he has declined to make the determination applied for by the council.